Summer- Week 5!

Another fun summer week! 

Sunday, we went to church and then Stephen went to play golf with his friend.  I had the kiddos with me all afternoon.  We played outside, we played inside... you know, whatever it takes to keep them entertained, fed, happy, and alive. ;)

That night, I went over to my friend Meg's house to hang out, and I got home around 11:30.  Then, I talked to a friend on the phone until after 1.  Then, Stephen woke up throwing up, so I didn't go to bed until after 2.  Then, Parker woke up at 5:15... you can do the math.  I was tired on Monday!

Monday, I was planning on taking all 3 kiddos to daycare, but Parker threw up right before we left, so I kept him with me.  Apparently, there is some stomach bug going around.  Luckily, Parker was fine the rest of the day, and Stephen felt much better, too.  I took a nap when Parker napped, so I felt more rested. :)  Not a very productive day.

Tuesday was a fun day!  I took Parker to daycare today and kept the girls with me.  We did a lot of things on our "Summer Bucket List".  (Sydney is like me and wants to check things off lists!)  We started off going to Watkinsville to pick some blueberries.  It was a good time, the girls seemed to enjoy it.  Taylor did eat about every third blueberry she picked off, so she was in heaven.  I made some really yummy blueberry muffins that afternoon- check out this recipe if you're interested!

Then, we went back to Loganville and headed to the library.  We read a few books together at a table, and then the girls walked around to take it all in.

Then, we went to Chick Fil A to eat lunch and play on the playground.  We came home, and Sydney painted with watercolors while Taylor took a long nap.  We also made some 4th of July t-shirts (thanks, Pinterest!), cooked dinner, and called it a day!

Wednesday, I was exhausted.  Maybe from the previous day, I'm not sure.  Wednesday morning, we hung around the house and then went to story time at the library.  It was very fun, and we will definitely have to go again!  A lady read 3 books and did some songs and dances.

The lady looks pretty ticked off here, but she was a very jolly, energetic soul!



Our babysitter came over for 2 hours in the middle of the day, so I could work out and run a couple of errands.  I came back with a breath of fresh air and more energy.  We went to church for bible study that night, which is always a good time.

Thursday, we went to the Mayfield Dairy Creamery in Braselton with Raegan and Savannah and their moms (and Raegan's cousins, too!).  It was really fun!  The tour of the plant was interesting (though probably more so for the adults than the kids) and the tour included some ice cream at the end, which was a favorite for all.  We watched a couple of short movies, the kids got to "milk" the (fake) cow, Bella.  Oh, and we all had to wear hairnets in case you are wondering. ;)

Milking the cow.

Sydney and Bella.

Sydney and Savannah.

Sydney and Raegan.

After the creamery, we got some lunch and had a little picnic at a park, and then the kids got to play.  Our babysitter came over again for me to run some errands (Let me just tell you, it is not worth taking 3 kiddos out to run errands!).  We hung around the house the rest of the day.  Poor Taylor was so tired from barely taking a nap today.  I'm surprised that Sydney really wasn't cranky, with all that we did and no nap!



Friday, I took the girls to daycare while I kept Parker.  It was water day at daycare, and a fire truck came and sprayed the kids with water.  Sydney had so much fun!  In the morning, I took Parker to get his 9 month pictures done.  He is so on the move now that it was hard to get him to sit still!  But, I think we got a good one. :)

This is a picture of a picture- our darn scanner is broken. :(

I got so much done today.  I have had electronic tragedies lately with my iPhone and my UP band.  Luckily, both are able to be replaced, so I was dealing with getting those replaced today.  (BTW, if you are looking for an awesome gadget, check out UP by Jawbone.  Just google it.  I LOVE it, and their customer service is incredible!!!!!)   I ordered things online that I've been needing to order; did some laundry; wrapped some presents; paid some bills... you know, typical things around the house.  Stephen and I hung out that night, watching TV.  I went through the dozens of magazines I've thrown on a shelf without reading for months now.  We are so exciting- don't be jealous!

Saturday was all about me!  OK, not really... but I did get some "me" and some "girl" time in.  I went shopping this morning, then went to a friend's baby shower.  I came home to a quiet house of everyone but Sydney napping.  So I hopped on the bandwagon and took a 2 hour nap!  Stephen took Sydney to a birthday party that evening, and I hung with Taylor and Parker.  We watched Cinderella together, ate dinner, and played.  I got a ton of things done this evening that have been needing to be done... like IRON!  I may actually have a wardrobe again now!

Another fun summer week in the books... here is to week 6!



Professional Pics

We got the professional pics that my family did at Lake Junaluska back today!  Here are a few for you to see...

Remember when I said Taylor wouldn't budge a smile?

9 months!

Parker is 9 months old!!

Accomplishments this month include:

• Let me start with... this boy is SO about to crawl.  He gets into position, he moves from sitting to the crawling position, he does 360s around on his belly and knees... he has taken two "crawls" with his knees, then stopped.  I'm awaiting with my video nearby- I think it's coming soon!
• Scooting backwards started this month.
• He can sit up from laying on his belly on his own.
• Going to North Carolina for the first time.
• He now sits up in his crib on his own!  We went ahead and lowered the crib all the way. 
• He has started to wave, but I'm not sure if he correlates the motion with the meaning yet.
• He completely feeds himself now, both bottle and things like puffs.  He grabs the bottle out of my hands and puts it in his mouth... apparently I am too slow.  He is also a little over the 3rd foods.  I think we need to start doing more "real" food for him.
• He doesn't clap yet, but when I clap, he will get really close to meeting his hands together.  He usually ends up hitting my hands with his. 
• He loves to stand.  It's hard now to put him on the floor to sit- he just wants to stand!
• We pulled out the old bouncer toy (the kind that hangs in the doorway) and he loves it!  Sydney never took to it, and we didn't pull it out for Taylor, but P-man loves it.
• He has started having separation anxiety!  He cries when I leave him at school, church, etc. :(  It's so sad.
• All the 9 month clothes are packed up... he is totally in 12 month clothes!
• First time in the backyard pool.
• He's not really digging the sippy cup yet, so I'm going to be working on that some this month with him.

Summer- Week 4!

What a week!

Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day!  We were exhausted from the day before (driving all the way to S. GA and back) but I got up a little earlier than the rest of the crew to make Stephen his favorite breakfast- eggs, sausage, and toast.  We went to church, and then we spent the whole day building/planting a vegetable garden!  Poor Stephen, on a day we are supposed to celebrate him, he was working in the yard all day long.  Luckily, that's how he rolls and I don't think he'd want it any other way.  The garden is up and growing!  We planted cherry tomatoes, okra, and green beans.  We got some fence to put around it since we have a lot of deer/rabbits in our area that may want a tasty snack (assuming, that is, that these things may actually grow!).

The beginning...

Monday, the girls were supposed to have swim lessons and I was going to keep all 3 kiddos with me.  However, it was raining/storming this morning, so the instructor had to cancel today's class.  So, I decided to take the kids to daycare and have my second kid-free day!  I went to the gym and ran a bunch of errands.  I met my friend, Melissa, for lunch, and then got a lot done around the house. 

Tuesday, I kept all three kiddos home.  Swim lessons were cancelled again (darn weather!) and I can't lie that, around 10 AM, I was burnt out.  We had already done a rainy day movie/popcorn party, colored, played dress up, made cookies... I think I was just exhausted, and my temper was short.  We all had nap/rest hour after lunch, which was a much needed break for all of us.  Afterwards, there was a break in the weather and we went to the toddler park in downtown Loganville.  Then, we headed to the... du du duuuu... dentist.  Miraculously, Sydney did great!  Taylor, not so much.  Thankfully, they were able to do all that they needed to do, and both girls received a good report (whew!). 

Wednesday was a fuuuun day!  I took Taylor and Parker to daycare, and Sydney and I headed to Stone Mountain with her BFF Raegan.  Stone Mountain is a blast, if you haven't been lately.  I just remember what it was like when I was a kid.  It was fun and all, but not a lot to do.  Now, they have a ton of things to do!  We got to play in this "barn" area where you can climb ropes, shoot people with foam balls, jump on the trampoline floor, go down three-story slides, etc.  (Bonus is that adults can play, too!); we "Rode the Ducks", which is a vehicle-turned-boat that literally drives into the water.  The guy let kids drive the boat, so Sydney got to do that.  We had a picnic lunch; saw a 4D movie; went to a butterfly exhibit and got to feed the butterflies; rode the Sky Lift to the top of the mountain; and did the Geyser Towers (water fun).  Totally a blast.  That night, we had dinner at church and did our bible study.  I thought Sydney would completely crash after the park, but she hung in there really well!

Sydney, Raegan, and R's cousins, Taylor and McKayla.

Quack!

Sydney feeding a butterfly.

A great way to end the day.

Thursday, I kept all 3 kiddos home.  We did have swim lessons today, yippee!  We did some "school" work, fingerpainted outside, played in the sprinkler, played on the playground.  It was a good day!

Friday, we had a playdate at a neighbor's house.  We couldn't stay long- we had swim lessons- but we went back afterwards to play some more.  They got to play in a little pool, do the slip n slide, play with super soakers, and more.  Lots of fun.  The rest of the day, we got ready for a yard sale that was scheduled for Saturday.  We made trail mix, the kids had movie night, and an attempted sleepover that didn't last too long.

Making the trail mix.

A fan favorite!

 Saturday started early, with us getting ready for the yard sale.  Some guy came over at 6:45 AM!!! while we were setting up.  We had a pretty good turnout, made some extra cash.  We played in the backyard pool and then got ready for a fun event at church- Married People Big Night Out.  We get dinner, the band plays music, a good message, and childcare!  Lots of fun. 

You can see some progress!  The green beans have started to sprout.  And you can see that I'm going to be painting the wood some fun colors.

Do you recognize this little gal?

Look how long her hair is!

My church is awesome.

Another fun summer week!